Skirt-supporting attachment for wardrobe-trunks.



A. M. MOORMAN. SKIRT SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOR WARDROBE TRUNKS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 19, 1908.

Patented Dec. 14, 1909;

fi m f 3m v pg l fi Z J 2 g 6 1 1 2. H 7 E 5 g [0 0 J m M 2 j J flizizzzj/ W7 h I o al toznuga witnesses UNITED STATES PANT FFTQ.

ANNIE MAY MOORE/IAN, 0F LYNUEBUBG, VIRGINIA.

SKIRT-SUPPORTING ATTACHMENT FOB. WARDROBE-TRUNKS.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ANNIE MAY Moomrax, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynchburg, in the county of Campbell and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Skirt Supporting Attachment for VardrobeTrunks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to garment supporting attachments particularly designed for use in connection with trunks and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide simple and efficient means for holding skirts fiat and in extended position so that they will not become creased to an objectionable extent while stored within a trunk.

Another object is to provide simple and eflicient means for securing a skirt upon the supporter.

A still further object is to provide a clothes supporter in the form of a panel which may be either fixedly or movably mounted within a supporting structure such as a trunk.

\Vith these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In said drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of a skirt supporter embodying the present improvements. Fig. 2 is an elevation of a modified form of skirt supporter, and showing a portion of a supporting structure in section. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the supporter shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an elevation of another form of supporter and showing aportion of a. supporting structure in section. Fig. 5 is a similar view of another modification.

Referring to the figures of the drawing by characters of reference, 1 designates a flat rectangular panel of wood, heavy paste board, or light metal, and provided adjacent one end with a clamp bar 2 formed either of wood or metal and having means such as an eye 3 to be engaged by a hook 3 carried by the panel to lock the bar in clamping position. Spring clips 4 are secured upon the other end of the panel along lines extending longitudinally thereof. Vhen it is desired to fasten a skirt to the panel the same is laid fiat thereon, after which the waist portion of the skirt is secured in place by bind- Specification of Letters Patent.

AppIication filed February 19, 1908.

Patented Dec. 1%, 1909.

Serial No. 416,785.

ing the bar 2 thereon and securing it. The

bottom portion of the skirt is then inserted under clips l which operate to firmly hold it in place. Obviously one or more skirts can be secured to each side of the panel by duplicating the clamping devices upon both sides of the panel, and after the skirts have been thus secured the panel may be placed within a suitable supporting structure such for example as a wardrobe trunk. Instead of forming the panel solid as shown in Fig. 1, the same can be provided with a large rectangular opening 5 and oppositely dis posed spring clips 6 may be secured to one end portionof the panel, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

As a modification of the constructions above described, a panel 7 may be provided with straps 8 extending transversely thereof and employed in lieu of the bar 2 and the clips 4 and 6. Also, if desired, the panel 9, as indicated in Fig. 5, may be provided with a longitudinal opening 10 and clips 12 may be arranged along the edge portions thereof and also at one end and the clips may co-- operate with transversely extending straps 11 for the purpose of holding a skirt in position. In addition a hanger 13 may be secured to each face of the panel so as to extend across one end portion of the opening;

This hanger is particularly designed for supporting waists within the panel but can be dispensed with if desired. It is to be understood that the clamping bars 2 can be used in connection with the panels 7 and 9 and that the various clamping devices can be used together or separately to suit the taste of the user.

In both of the panels shown in Figs. a and 5 stop shoulders 14: are employed. These shoulders may also be used in connection with panels 1 and 5 and are designed to limit the sliding movement of the panels.

when the same are movably mounted within a supporting structure.

The panels hereinbefore described are disposed to be placed within a suitable supporting structure 15 which may be in the form of a wardrobe trunk and which is provided with pairs of guide cleats 16. The panels are designed to slide between these cleats so that they can be readily placed in or removed from position within the supporting structure. Vhere the panels are provided with stop shoulders such as indicated at 1 1 in Figs. a and 5 a stop lug 17 or other suitable means is located between shoulders 14 so as to limit the sliding movement of the panel.

Although the panels have been shown of rectangular outline it is to be understood that they may be of any other desired shapes. The straps are preferably dispensed with except where drop skirts are attached to the panel.

It will be observed that a feature of importance lies in providing each panel with a central longitudinal opening and wit-h means therein for suspending or holding a shirtwaist, whereby when a skirt is clamped length-wise upon each side of the panel the shirtwaist will be held in place and pro tected. This arrangement not only provides for close packing of the trunk but also insures a complete protection of the shirtwaist, this protection feature being important in view of the fact that shirt-waists are usually constructed of fabrics more delicate than the fabrics of skirts.

\Vhat is claimed is:

In combination with the top and bottom walls of a trunk or like structure, said walls being provided with guiding means, a vertical panel having its upper and lower edges in sliding engagement with said guiding means and provided with a longitudinal opening, means in said opening for supporting a shirtwaist therein, and means on each face of the panel for clamping a skirt over said opening, for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ANNIE MAY MOORMAN.

\Vitnesses B. E. HUGHES, lV. E. CLARK. 

